Improvements in Accessible Taxi Services for People with Reduced Mobility
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is exploring various measures to enhance the availability of taxi services for individuals with reduced mobility (PRM). Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez recently met with representatives from PRM user associations like Queremos movernos, Montaña para todos, and Coordicanarias to discuss potential strategies.
One proposal under consideration is to increase control and oversight of taxi licenses catering to PRM passengers. The council is also looking into the option of outsourcing these services, a model already implemented in other Spanish cities. The meeting, attended by Councillor Evelyn Alonso and General Director Ofelia Manjón, focused on addressing the challenges faced by PRM individuals in accessing taxi services.
The group highlighted the need to raise the percentage of licensed taxis equipped for PRM passengers to 5%, with a future target of 10%. Discussions also included the development of a mobile app with geolocation features to facilitate service requests and improving accessibility features like Braille information and voice guidance in taximeters.
Mayor Bermúdez informed the associations about financial assistance available for adapting taxis to serve PRM individuals, with a budget of 60,000 euros and subsidies ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 euros per beneficiary. An additional subsidy of 45,000 euros was allocated to promote PRM services.
Councillor Evelyn Alonso expressed the council’s commitment to increasing the number of licensed PRM taxis and announced plans to establish a working group with PRM taxi drivers to address related concerns.
